NFL DFS Contrarian Plays

The struggling Hernández had gone 17 games without a homer before taking Jeremiah Estrada deep in the sixth inning. The ball left his bat at 108.6 mph and traveled a projected 420 feet. It was his only hit of the game to go along with two strikeouts and two routine flies, but hopefully it will get him going. He had been 3-for-38 with one RBI since May 31.

Although he settled for two strikeouts and just two missed swings, Casparius was able to get 12 outs on 54 pitches in his longest outing this season. If the Dodgers keep stretching him out, he’ll probably offer some mixed-league value, even if his ERA seems likely to increase in the rotation. He has a 2.86 ERA and a stellar 46/9 K/BB in 44 innings to this point. Unless something changes, he’ll face the Padres again next Monday or Tuesday.

Kopech came in with a 4-2 lead to the start the seventh and got Jake Cronenworth to ground out after three straight pitches around the zone. His control disappeared afterwards, and with no idea where the ball was going, he brushed back Elias Díaz three times in his plate appearance. Kopech fared a little better on the next walk to Fernando Tatis Jr., but he was then pulled with the bases loaded. Fortunately for the Dodgers, Anthony Banda came in and got Luis Arraez to pop up and Manny Machado to ground out (on a 3-0 pitch) to end the threat.

The Dodgers had Tanner Scott, who earned a save Monday, face the heart of the order while up 4-2 in the eighth today, leaving the bottom of the lineup for Vesia in the ninth, and Vesia wound up striking out Jake Cronenworth, Tyler Wade and Elias Díaz for the save. Vesia is definitely behind his fellow lefty in line for saves right now, but he’s still an option in deeper leagues.

The Padres are really cracking down on getting Vásquez out of the game before the lineup hits for a third time, and it seems to be doing some good. He faced 18 batters today and then made way for Adrian Morejon with Shohei Ohtani coming back up. Ohtani went on to ground out to end the inning with the score still tied at 1-1. Of course, as a consequence of all of these quick hooks, Vásquez hasn’t received a decision in his last four starts. The Padres did end up losing today, but they’re still 8-6 on the year when Vásquez pitches. He’s set to face the Dodgers again next week.

Adell’s homer came off Osvaldo Bido, the third pitcher in the frame after starter JP Sears was lifted and Grant Holman failed to retire any of the three batters he faced. Adell was losing playing time before Mike Trout returned and seemed to be very much in danger of falling out of the Angels’ plans, but he’s timed this hot streak very well; he’s hitting .333 with seven homers in 55 plate appearances over his last 15 games.